How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make in Santa Cruz?
Median yearly pay for operating engineer and other construction equipment operators in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area. That is $36.37 an hour or $6,303 a month.
- Hourly
- $36.37
- Vs. national median
- +26%
- Rank among cities
- 74 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 130
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $55,130 | $26.50 | |
| 25th | $61,210 | $29.43 | |
| Median | $75,640 | $36.37 | |
| 75th | $96,850 | $46.56 | |
| 90th | $137,000 | $65.84 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for operating engineer and other construction equipment operators.
| San Francisco, CA | $124,800 |
| San Jose, CA | $124,300 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $105,100 |
| Vallejo, CA | $95,100 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $92,890 |
| Sacramento, CA | $91,650 |
| Modesto, CA | $90,560 |
| Napa, CA | $90,060 |
| San Diego, CA | $83,670 |
| Oxnard, CA | $83,290 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $81,500 |
| Yuba City, CA | $80,620 |
| Salinas, CA | $80,320 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $79,340 |
| Chico, CA | $79,040 |
| Riverside, CA | $78,720 |
| Fresno, CA | $78,310 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $77,960 |
| Stockton, CA | $77,420 |
| Redding, CA | $77,090 |
| Merced, CA | $74,800 |
| El Centro, CA | $70,830 |
| Hanford, CA | $63,050 |
| Visalia, CA | $60,530 |
Related jobs in Santa Cruz
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Construction and Building Inspector | $98,680 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trade and Extraction Worker | $87,180 |
| Carpenter | $77,690 |
| Electrician | $76,610 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer | $74,740 |
| Plasterer and Stucco Mason | $68,210 |
| Plumber | $68,130 |
| Painter | $62,400 |
| Roofer | $61,640 |
| Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher | $60,210 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make an hour in Santa Cruz?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $36.37 ($75,640 a year).
Do operating engineer and other construction equipment operators make more in Santa Cruz than the national average?
Yes: $75,640 against $59,850 nationally, 26% more.
How does Santa Cruz compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $87,160, so Santa Cruz pays 13% less.
Where does Santa Cruz rank for operating engineer and other construction equipment operator pay?
74 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make starting out in Santa Cruz?
The lowest-paid 10% make $55,130 or less a year; the top 10% make $137,000 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.